The Matildas hopes of qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games have been effectively dashed following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of DPR (North) Korea at the BCU International Stadium in Coffs Harbour today.
Two second half strikes from the visitors ensured a repeat of the scoreline in Pyongyang last week and leaves the Matildas six points behind DPR Korea with two matches remaining. The team ranked number five in the world and the best in Asia need only to earn a point in their remaining matches against group minnows Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei to guarantee top spot and qualification from Group B.
After a tight first half DPR Korea broke the deadlock scoring the all-important opening goal of the match on the hour with a far post close-range header from captain Ri Kum Suk. The match was virtually put of reach of their home side nine minutes later, and with the Matildas needing a win to stay level with DPR Korea, with Kim Kyong Hwa unleashing an unstoppable shot from outside the penalty area to double their advantage.
Australia came closest to scoring just prior to Korea's opening goal when midfielder Collette McCallum floated a free kick just over crossbar and onto the roof of the net.
"Sometimes you simply get beaten by a better team and at the moment I would say that DPR Korea are probably as close to being as unbeatable as any women's team that I have seen," said Matildas coach Tom Sermanni.
"So in that sense I am very disappointed for the players because I believe that had we played like we did against virtually any other team we would have won the game.
"The effort was absolutely unbelievable and the players gave everything possible.
"The unfortunate thing today was that we were having our best spell of the game and had built up some good momentum when we conceded that opening goal so that was heartbreaking."
The visitors started the match with intent and had a strong claim for a penalty after five minutes with Thea Slatyer appearing to bring down Kim Yong Ae however play was waved on.
The Koreans had some dangerous moments around the penalty area in the first half without really testing Australian goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
The Matildas custodian though was at full stretch seven minutes from the interval when a Korean shot from distance skims just wide of the post.
At the other end of the field the forward line of Jo Burgess, Kate Gill and Sarah Walsh are invariably surrounded by a swarming group of defenders whenever they get the ball.
Australia's best period of the match is immediately after half time with Gill firing an awkward chance wide from 12 yards before McCallum's free-kick over the crossbar a few minutes later.
Despite the Australian defence being breached twice in the space of ten minutes the back-line quartet of captain Cheryl Salisbury, Thea Slatyer, Di Alagich and Kate McShea battled stoicly throughout.
Spotted amongst the 2,121 crowd were USA coach Greg King and Canadian coach Even Pellerud, both of whom will have plenty to contemplate with the USA matched against DPR Korea, and Canada with Australia in their respective World Cup groups.
In the previous group matches Australia defeated Hong Kong 15-0 and Chinese Taipei 10-0 in April, while DPR Korea won 14-0 and 8-0 against the same opponents respectively.
Australia have only defeated DPR Korea once in their previous six matches dating back to their first meeting in 1998.